Seven LCCC athletes recognized for academic achievement

Seven Luzerne County Community College student athletes are showing they excel both athletically and academically.

The Eastern Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (EPAC) recently recognized the students by naming them to the EPAC All-Academic Team. To be eligible, the students had to participate in a spring sport, achieve a minimum of a 3.25 grade point average and be enrolled in 12 credits.*

EPAC is comprised of 13 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) member colleges in Pennsylvania and Delaware.

"I'm very proud of these students and their ability to achieve academically while also playing a sport," said Tyler Russell, director of Student Life and Athletics. "It was great to see some students return to the EPAC All-Academic Team for Spring after being part of it in the Fall. As always, it is great to see students be selected to the All-Academic Team for the first time based on their academic performance this semester. Strong academics are a priority at Luzerne and these students are proof of that."

EPAC named the following students to the All-American Team. They are William 'Gabriel' Preston, LCCC Men's Basketball and Baseball; Ousmane Diallo, LCCC Men's Basketball; Matthew Panchura, LCCC Men's Basketball; Christopher Johnson, LCCC Men's Basketball and Baseball; Elijah Samuel, LCCC Men's Baseball; Ayden Everett, LCCC Men's Baseball; and Bruce Leatherman, LCCC Men's Baseball.

"Our athletes are here to grow, learn, and succeed in all aspects of their college experience," said Ron Strothers, head coach for LCCC Men's Basketball. "Being named to the EPAC All-Academic Team is a testament to their hard work and the quality educational programs offered at LCCC."

Several LCCC athletes said they're pleased they were named, crediting their hard work and the learning environment at the College for their success.

"I applied to several colleges and decided to come here after speaking to Coach Ron because he believed in me and what I could do," said Preston, who is from Florida. "I felt I could come here and make an impact. Coach Ron always checks up on us and makes sure we are focusing not only on basketball but also our academics."

Preston, who wants to be an anesthesiologist, said he comes from a family who values academics, which is why getting good grades is so important to him.

Diallo said he's pleased he was named to the EPAC All-American Team because it shows dedication both on and off the court.

"It's a privilege to be part of it and to be recognized for my work," said Diallo, who is pursuing a business associate degree. "Coach Ron wants us to be successful players but also successful in the classroom."